12 months down ...

So my 1st Kyu test was a success (Yay me!).  I now have a nice list of items, courtesy of my Sensei,  of things that I will need to improve upon before the end of classes this June. On top of that, I'll be learning all of the new Kata, kihon and bunkai required for Shodan. That doesn't really amount to a huge amount (Chinto, Kihon-Kata-San, which I already know, Nage-no-kata, and a few jumping kicks), but everything must be performed perfectly. My technique must be flawless, and I know I have a ways to go before everything is flawless.

So, Sensei says that I should be looking at May / June 2012 for my Shodan test. Thats about sixteen months to prepare, and I am really looking forward to the journey. I've come quite a ways in the past twelve months, and I'm amazed at what I was able to accomplish.

• Eight Kilos dropped
• 2+ Inches gone from my waist
• More muscle mass added
• (Much) More flexibility
• Re-learned (and fine tuned) five Kata
• Re-learned eleven Kihon
• Learned 2 new Kihon that didn't exist the first time (There's a Kihon-dosa-yon??)
• Learned the finer points of Bassai
• Learned Tehodoki-no-waza
• Learned Ju-ni-ko
• Removed flaws from my punching technique
• Identified issues with my ukemi (aka, still working on that active foot)
• Removed inconsistencies in my stances
• Grasped the concept of Shime, Shibori and Hari (I do not remember this being mentioned the first time at all)
• Learned, and now regularly apply, several terms and concepts (Ichi Gan people!)
• Began diving into the history of Chito-ryu and Okinawan Martial Arts
• Began learning Kata from other styles
• Started instructing junior students.

All of that in exactly one year. On February 1st, 2010, I walked into the Hampton Dojo of KV Karate in a white T-Shirt and track pants, wondering if I was going to survive the first work-out. On February 1st, 2011, I walked out of the Apohaqui Dojo of KV Karate with a Brown Belt. Twelve months down, out of countless more as I continue my journey.

"Karate-Do is a lifetime study."
Mabuni Kenwa Sensei - Founder of Shito-ryu